Chief Executive John Lee said on Tuesday that Hong Kong will go full throttle in the new year to attract more high-value-added industries and high-potential enterprises to set up operations in the city.

"In the coming year, Hong Kong will gallop forward like a spirited steed, boldly embarking on a new journey," he said.

Speaking at a spring reception hosted by the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce, Lee said the city has successfully attracted 102 key enterprises from strategic sectors to Hong Kong over the past three years – focusing on areas such as life sciences and health technology, artificial intelligence, fintech and advanced manufacturing.

These investments are expected to bring in a total of HK$60 billion over the coming years and create 22,000 new jobs, he said.

Lee said this year marks the inaugural year of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, and he will lead the SAR government in formulating Hong Kong’s first-ever five-year plan, proactively aligning it with the national 15th Five-Year Plan.

The city's leader called on all sectors of society to actively engage with the national plan, leveraging Hong Kong’s unique advantage under “One Country, Two Systems” – rooted in the motherland and connected to the world – to consolidate traditional pillar industries while actively cultivating new economic growth drivers.

This, he said, will enhance Hong Kong’s competitiveness and global influence, and enable it to more proactively integrate into and serve the broader national development strategy.



Edited by Thomas McAlinden